MANSFIELD, PA—Mansfield University students, along with staff, faculty and community members, were out in force for THE BIG EVENT, MU’s annual day-long community service project, on Saturday, April 14.
More than 300 hundred students participated, completing more than 1,100 hours of community service work on a wide variety of projects.
“These types of events are crucial in helping the people who live in town to see the energy and enthusiasm you bring,” Mansfield Mayor Mike Detweiler told the students before they headed out on their assignments. “I just want to say, on behalf of the Borough, how much we appreciate your willingness to come out and meet and help people, it means a lot to us. The vitality of the university is tied to the vitality of our town.”
The volunteers completed projects in the Mansfield and Wellsboro area including cleaning streets and trails, parks and along the highways.
They also helped with projects at area churches, including bagging more than 20,000 lunches at the United Methodist Church in Roseville, animal care sanctuaries, the Mansfield Chamber of Commerce, Hills Creek State Park, YMCA, Mansfield VFW Post 6757, IDEAS Day, which was hosted by the MU sciences departments for area schoolchildren, a chicken barbeque held by the MU Student Veterans Organization and Social Work Club, and many other places.
“This is one of my favorite days of the year,” Frank Crofchick, MU 
assistant vice president/dean of Students and BIG EVENT coordinator, said. “I could not be prouder of our students. This is not just about our university, it’s about our entire area working together and helping each other in the true Mountie spirit.”
In addition to the volunteers, Crofchick credits the Student Government Association (SGA), Community Service Club and his co-workers in the Office of Student Life and Living for making THE BIG EVENT a success.
To see more photos, click here.
For more information on community and volunteer services at MU, go to mansfield.edu/community-service2